Theodore Roosevelt Date of Birth: October 27, 1858 Date of Death: January 6, 1919 Political Party: Republican Terms of Office: September 14, 1901- March 4, 1909 (2 terms) Vice President: First term- No Vice- President Second term- Charles W. Fairbanks
Theodore Roosevelt also known as the “Trust Buster” was an excellent president for the United States at this period of time. During his presidency he had many positive outcomes and a couple of those being his acts toward conservation and the increase of the size of the Navy. He didn’t make all perfect decisions though, his contributions to the onset of the Panic of 1907. But with this said his positive actions most definitely outweighed his negatives. And with these factors I have given Theodore Roosevelt an A-.
As going into office after the assassination of President Mckinley, Roosevelt had many goals and objectives that he wanted to accomplish. His goals were to move forward in the nations conservation, also to create a canal that would link the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. As for Roosevelt’s conservation actions he set in place many acts one being the Newlands Act of 1902. This act placed the federal government in an activist role in the areas of water management and reclamation. Roosevelt had a strong sense of the conservationist had on our country considering that he was a sportsman and a naturalist. Roosevelt with the help of Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot, they preserved more than 170 million of acres of land into national parks and monuments. Next, to his goal of the canal connecting the two oceans, this was not an easy process. This consisted of the U.S. willing to put their own lives on the line for this canal. Roosevelt told the revolters in Panama that if they attacked the Columbians that we would be there to back them up. After being there to protect the Panamanians against the Columbians Bunau-Varilla sweetened the treaty by giving the rights of the entire canal to the U.S. This decision by Roosevelt to protect the Panamanians was a good considering he got what he wanted plus more.
Roosevelt’s relationship with Congress was a little above average. He was a progressive and a Republican; also, the Congress was more conservative Republicans. They did not always agree on the terms, but Roosevelt was not going to let debating with Congress slow him in his vigorous course of action. Even though, most of Congress was Republicans, they still were a little worried about the rise in presidential power.
The most positive outcome in Roosevelt’s presidency I would have to say would be his actions dealing with the Panama Canal. Although, TR had many other positive actions during his two terms, I believe this was his best decision at the time. The Panamanians told TR if he would send ships and troops down to their aid when they revolted against the Columbians then he would be able to create the Panama Canal with no trouble from them. After hearing this TR sent a ship down to protect them with 500 Marines on it and then had other ships and troops on their way down. Once the Panamanians got their freedom from the Columbians, they spiced up the deal on the treaty so that the Americans were a sure deal in. With the treaty the Panamanians stated the TR could have full control of the area and land around the Panama Canal so that the Americans could completely control that specific area. Obviously, TR took this deal because he wanted to sign the treaty before but now there was absolutely no doubt that America wouldn’t sign the treaty. This was most definitely a big step for America to be able to control the trade from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. This is a major plus for the United States and especially in this period of time in the States.
The most negative outcome in TR’s presidency would be his involvement with the Panic of 1907. He did not bring this upon America he just contributed to the fact with by placing the Anti-Trust Act of 1890 he intended to break up many large companies and their monopolies over the industry. This act added to the downfall of many companies and banks. Many stock market numbers dropped majorly with the crash of these companies. Many Americans blamed TR for this because of him emplacing the Anti- Trust Act. This was not solely TR’s fault but yet with his actions with the Anti-Trust Act he did contribute to this major Panic of 1907. Also, during this time in America Roosevelt had horrible views on helping the Blacks and did not help them with Black suffrage.
Theodore Roosevelt had a major lasting impression in America with not just one act or policy but with his tentative work in the area of conservation. TR was a huge enforcer and contributor in this entire movement from the land restoration to the work camps that were emplaced. This left a major impact on America as we know it today considering that he created an extremely large amount of National Parks across the entire nation, that are still intact today and active. His work camps and other things of that sort that he set up such as the Civilian Conservations Corps (CCC) gave many people in the country jobs that needed them desperately to be able to put food on their table. TR and his conservative actions have changed America forever and helped save many forest and land that was in bad shape. He set in place many things that are still in place today mainly the National Parks. At the time also these acts helped out in enormous rates considering the tough time they were in.
All in all, I believe that Theodore Roosevelt did a wonderful job in office and completely turned around the country in their desperate time of need. TR had many positive actions but also he some negative actions. For example, his actions with the conservation of the nation, his actions with the Panama Canal, and his bad being putting in the Anti-Trust Act of 1890 that ended up hurting the country more than it did good. And with these facts and the analysis of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency this is why I have given him a grade of an A-.
Theodore Roosevelt
Date of Birth: October 27, 1858
Date of Death: January 6, 1919
Political Party: Republican
Terms of Office: September 14, 1901- March 4, 1909 (2 terms)
Vice President: First term- No Vice- President
Second term- Charles W. Fairbanks
Theodore Roosevelt also known as the “Trust Buster” was an excellent president for the United States at this period of time. During his presidency he had many positive outcomes and a couple of those being his acts toward conservation and the increase of the size of the Navy. He didn’t make all perfect decisions though, his contributions to the onset of the Panic of 1907. But with this said his positive actions most definitely outweighed his negatives. And with these factors I have given Theodore Roosevelt an A-.
As going into office after the assassination of President Mckinley, Roosevelt had many goals and objectives that he wanted to accomplish. His goals were to move forward in the nations conservation, also to create a canal that would link the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. As for Roosevelt’s conservation actions he set in place many acts one being the Newlands Act of 1902. This act placed the federal government in an activist role in the areas of water management and reclamation. Roosevelt had a strong sense of the conservationist had on our country considering that he was a sportsman and a naturalist. Roosevelt with the help of Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot, they preserved more than 170 million of acres of land into national parks and monuments. Next, to his goal of the canal connecting the two oceans, this was not an easy process. This consisted of the U.S. willing to put their own lives on the line for this canal. Roosevelt told the revolters in Panama that if they attacked the Columbians that we would be there to back them up. After being there to protect the Panamanians against the Columbians Bunau-Varilla sweetened the treaty by giving the rights of the entire canal to the U.S. This decision by Roosevelt to protect the Panamanians was a good considering he got what he wanted plus more.
Roosevelt’s relationship with Congress was a little above average. He was a progressive and a Republican; also, the Congress was more conservative Republicans. They did not always agree on the terms, but Roosevelt was not going to let debating with Congress slow him in his vigorous course of action. Even though, most of Congress was Republicans, they still were a little worried about the rise in presidential power.
The most positive outcome in Roosevelt’s presidency I would have to say would be his actions dealing with the Panama Canal. Although, TR had many other positive actions during his two terms, I believe this was his best decision at the time. The Panamanians told TR if he would send ships and troops down to their aid when they revolted against the Columbians then he would be able to create the Panama Canal with no trouble from them. After hearing this TR sent a ship down to protect them with 500 Marines on it and then had other ships and troops on their way down. Once the Panamanians got their freedom from the Columbians, they spiced up the deal on the treaty so that the Americans were a sure deal in. With the treaty the Panamanians stated the TR could have full control of the area and land around the Panama Canal so that the Americans could completely control that specific area. Obviously, TR took this deal because he wanted to sign the treaty before but now there was absolutely no doubt that America wouldn’t sign the treaty. This was most definitely a big step for America to be able to control the trade from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. This is a major plus for the United States and especially in this period of time in the States.
The most negative outcome in TR’s presidency would be his involvement with the Panic of 1907. He did not bring this upon America he just contributed to the fact with by placing the Anti-Trust Act of 1890 he intended to break up many large companies and their monopolies over the industry. This act added to the downfall of many companies and banks. Many stock market numbers dropped majorly with the crash of these companies. Many Americans blamed TR for this because of him emplacing the Anti- Trust Act. This was not solely TR’s fault but yet with his actions with the Anti-Trust Act he did contribute to this major Panic of 1907. Also, during this time in America Roosevelt had horrible views on helping the Blacks and did not help them with Black suffrage.
Theodore Roosevelt had a major lasting impression in America with not just one act or policy but with his tentative work in the area of conservation. TR was a huge enforcer and contributor in this entire movement from the land restoration to the work camps that were emplaced. This left a major impact on America as we know it today considering that he created an extremely large amount of National Parks across the entire nation, that are still intact today and active. His work camps and other things of that sort that he set up such as the Civilian Conservations Corps (CCC) gave many people in the country jobs that needed them desperately to be able to put food on their table. TR and his conservative actions have changed America forever and helped save many forest and land that was in bad shape. He set in place many things that are still in place today mainly the National Parks. At the time also these acts helped out in enormous rates considering the tough time they were in.
All in all, I believe that Theodore Roosevelt did a wonderful job in office and completely turned around the country in their desperate time of need. TR had many positive actions but also he some negative actions. For example, his actions with the conservation of the nation, his actions with the Panama Canal, and his bad being putting in the Anti-Trust Act of 1890 that ended up hurting the country more than it did good. And with these facts and the analysis of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency this is why I have given him a grade of an A-.
Work Cited
"Theodore Roosevelt | The White House." The White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/theodoreroosevelt>.
Foldvary, Fred E. "The Panic of 1907." The Free Liberal. Free Liberal, 05/01/07. Web. 23 Apr 2010. <http://www.freeliberal.com/archives/002739.html >.